Native Relief keeps on truckin’ Community by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 Hoping to bring Christmas cheer to a community in need, members of the Native Relief Foundation (NRF) ignored unrelenting rain Dec. 5 to load a 26-foot rental truck with boxes of donated clothing, blankets and food earmarked for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Designated driver and NRF member Bobbie "BJ" Billie
Edward Aguilar graduates from TCD program Community by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Surrounded by about 70 friends, family members and colleagues, Edward Aguilar celebrated his graduation from Seminole Gaming’s Tribal Career Development (TCD) program in style Dec. 17 during the annual Christmas party at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Sharply dressed in a suit and tie, Aguilar proudly
Everglades history, culture displayed at annual Swamp Heritage Festival Community by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 OCHOPEE, Fla. — More than 500 people gathered at the Big Cypress National Preserve Dec. 5 to celebrate the history and culture of the Everglades during the Swamp Heritage Festival in Ochopee, about 35 miles east of Naples. The fifth annual event featured nearly two dozen organizations dedicated to safeguarding the
And the Emmy goes to: Tribe employee Reinaldo Becerra Community by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 FORT LAUDERDALE — Longtime Tribe employee Reinaldo Becerra won an Emmy at the 39th annual Suncoast Emmy Awards Dec. 5 for a show he hosted and produced for WLRN-TV about Florida panthers in the Everglades. "Big Cypress National Preserve: Panthers," one of his six shows about the preserve, features Becerra with
Jack Smith Jr. honored for 26 years of service Community by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Jack Smith Jr., who has served on the Seminole Water Commission for 26 years, was recognized Dec. 16 for his service during the group’s monthly meeting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. "We are recognizing his important contribution to the Tribe," said Amos Tiger, commission chairman. "He
Garage sale proceeds to help elders in Jerusalem Community by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Judybill Osceola was so moved by the story of the Jerusalem Prayer Team, whose causes include fundraising for the elderly in Israel, she held a garage sale Dec. 1 to raise money for the organization. Led by missionary Mike Evans, the group encourages Americans to pray for peace in
Fitness enthusiasts Jingle Bell Jog through Hollywood Health by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — In a season of rich food, plentiful sweets and bubbly cheer, the Health Department sponsored the Jingle Bell Jog 5K on Dec. 17 in Hollywood to help keep health and fitness on the front burner. "We wanted to get the community together and promote fitness during the holidays," said
Immokalee Boys & Girls Club uses federal grant for mentoring, fitness Education by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 IMMOKALEE — Shortly after the Immokalee Boys & Girls Club upgraded to a stand-alone club in February, it received a $20,000 grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to provide mentoring and fitness activities to the club’s 122 youth through the SMART Moves program. "Based on statistics,
Hollywood preschoolers rock Christmas Education by Beverly Bidney - December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Hollywood preschoolers showed their families and friends how to rock Christmas Dec. 17 during their A Rockin’ Christmas show at Tribe Headquarters. Students performed "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree" with inflatable guitars, sang "O Christmas Tree" decked in patchwork created for them by the Hollywood Culture Department and
Past success helps fuel NIGA drive Community by Beverly Bidney - November 30, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — More than 400 representatives from Tribes throughout Indian Country convened in Hollywood for the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) mid-year conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Nov. 2-4. The conference highlighted several legislative issues NIGA is tackling in Washington, D.C. and touted its 30 years